by Kanishk Tharoor
In recent months, David Cameron's micro-managed public persona has felt suspiciously cuddly. Enthusiastic dad, evergreen biker, baby-faced reformer, it's all a bit much.
Yet now oD Today can exclusively reveal the secret of the Tory top-dog's charm, the inspiration that sends journalists chasing after him and makes pensioners want to rub him behind the ears:
Yes, in truth, the chief pet of the White House is quite the canny canine, the savvy political animal. His ongoing video blog has bolstered the image of Scottish terriers (perhaps Gordon Brown should take a few pointers) in government for over two years now.
Barney's unprecedented success in making the White House safe for families again clearly inspired Cameron's Cameramen across the Atlantic. How to woo the public? With grainy images of the mundane!
Charming voters with his playful curiosity and puppy-dog looks, Barney scampers about the White House interrupting press conferences, bouncing on Lynn Cheney's lap, and avoiding a telling-off from hard-as-nails task master Condoleeza Rice.
An American once said "all politics are local." What he really meant was "all politics are domestic." As domestic as your kitchen table, your dishwasher, and the scuffed-up rug of the Oval Office.
